ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Thursday distanced itself from recent remarks made by the sisters of its jailed founding chairman, Imran Khan, clarifying that their statements reflect personal views rather than the party’s official stance.
Talking to reporters, PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja swiftly clarified that the opinions voiced by Imran Khan’s sisters were personal views and should not be mistaken for the party’s official position.
However, Raja was quick to emphasise that while PTI does not engage in censorship, “What Imran Khan says is what we convey to the masses,” indicating that the party’s message remains largely dictated by its jailed founding chairman’s voice.
On the issue of restrictions on meetings with Khan in prison, he explained that regular meetings had previously taken place on Tuesdays, typically lasting an hour or two, and that such interactions were crucial for resolving party matters.
He further insisted that negotiations with the authorities should not be misconstrued as a sign of capitulation. “Imran Khan has made his position clear – he does not seek any special privileges for his personal comfort,” he added.
However, PTI’s frustrations were evident when Raja condemned the continued ban on Khan’s sisters visiting him in jail.
“It is legally and ethically unjustifiable,” he asserted, calling out the authorities for preventing the visits despite court orders.
According to Raja, certain elements within the state have actively orchestrated these restrictions, accusing them of using the situation to fuel a politically motivated spectacle.
“It is the right of Imran Khan to meet with his sisters and party leadership, but they are being prevented from doing so, despite court orders,” he said, accusing certain elements within the state of orchestrating the restrictions.
He further accused the authorities of using the situation as a spectacle, blocking meetings with Khan under the pretext of security concerns.
“The responsibility for these arbitrary measures lies with certain state actors who made the decision back in April to restrict any such interactions,” he claimed.
Raja also noted that visits to Khan are being allowed based on personal connections, rather than legal entitlement. “Those with influence are being granted access, while others are blocked,” he said, stressing that the public’s visits are an expression of solidarity and should not be hindered.
In a final remark, Raja sought to quell any online furor by reiterating that PTI cannot be held accountable for the actions of individuals on social media.
“We do not control the thousands of accounts supporting our cause,” he explained, cautioning against attributing blame for digital activism to the party itself.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Comments
Comments are closed for this article.